IL SR0528

Over 384,000 individuals in Illinois are deaf or have severe hearing loss, with approximately 655 DeafBlind individuals in the state.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission was established in 1997 to advocate for individuals with hearing loss, but has faced concerns about its ability to effectively serve the community.

The Office of the Governor and the Commission must develop a report by January 1, 2018, analyzing hiring freezes, official orders limiting Commission functions, the transfer of interpreter licensing to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and whether the Commission should be housed within the Department of Human Services.

The report must include recommendations on underserved populations with hearing loss and address whether moving the Commission would provide more resources while maintaining its independence and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Community input and testimony, including anonymous submissions, must be collected and incorporated into the report, which shall be submitted to the General Assembly and made publicly available online.